Sparking igniter for internal-combustion engines.



APPLICATION FILED PEB.27, 1905.

Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

UNIE STATE FFIfiE.

CHARLES A. STICKNEY, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

SPARKING IGNITER FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. STICK- NEY, of St. Paul, Ramsey county, Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sparking Igniters for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in explosive engines, and in particular to the igniting device therefor; and the object of the invention is to provide an igniter composed of several parts or units that are capable of being easily and quickly assembled or separated for the purpose of repairs.

In devices of this kind considerable difficulty is frequently experienced through the leakage of gas in the joint around the movable electrode, and a particular object of my invention is to provide means that will permit the ready and convenient substitution of another movable electrode in case of such leakage, or for any other purpose.

A further object is to provide an igniting device wherein all the parts are readily accessible and capable of immediate substitution in case of breakage or damage.

The invention consists generally in providing a removable bushing inclosing the movable electrode.

Further, the invention consists in various details of constructions and combina tions all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view of an igniting device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is an end view.

In the drawing, 2 represents a hollow T- shaped casting or shell having exteriorly threaded ends 3 and 4e, and a branch or laterally extending exteriorly threaded stem 5, that is adapted to be screwed int-o the wall or cylinder and through which the explosion chamber communicates with the elec-,

trode to ignite the charge.

An interiorly threaded cap 6 fits the end 3 and is provided with a hole 7 to receive a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 27, 1905.

Patented A11". 29, 1911.

Serial No. 247,569.

threaded stem 8 on the fixed electrode 9 that is insulated from said cap by the washers 10 in the usual way. A post 11 fits over the stem 8 and is provided with a binding screw 12 and a hole 13 for the electric conductor that is clamped bet-ween the stem and the binding screw, thus forming a simple, inexpensive, and at the same time a very practical form of binding post. The other threaded end 4: of the casting fits within an interiorly threaded cup 14 provided on the end of a tubular casting or casing 15 that has a socket 16 to receive one end of a bushing 17 fitting snugly therein, and provided with an annular flange 18 that is clamped between the bottom of the cup 14L and the end 1. The bushing is thereby held securely in place, but at the same time is easily accessible for the purpose of removal for examination or substitution.

The movable electrode 19 is fitted within the bushing and slides longitudinally therein toward and from the fixed electrode with which it is in substantial alinement. The movable electrode has a long bearing surface in the bushing and normally forms a gas tight joint therewith, but in case of wear in the joint sui'licient to cause a leakin the cylinder, the bushing and movable electrode can be readily removed and another perfect one substituted therefor. The repair of the igniting device is thus greatly facilitated.

The movable electrode is preferably provided with annular grooves 20, in which little packing rings may be placed, if preferred.

A plug 21 is provided in the wall of the -asting2opposite the contiguous ends of the electrodes, to permit convenient access thereto for the purpose of examination in adjusting and to clean the points The opposite end of the casting 15, from the point where the electrodes are located, is open and provided with a tube 22 into which one end of the rod 23 extending from the operating mechanism, not shown, but of any well known form is loosely inserted. This tube is adapted to slide back and forth in the end of the casing, and is provided with an extension 24: on its inner end reduced in diameter and supported in a transverse wall 25 in the casing.

A compression spring 26 is coiled about the extension 2% between the tube 22 and the wall 25, and normally tends to hold the tube and the movable electrode in their retracted position. The spring 26 also holds the tube 22 in engagement with the rod 23 and prevents them from becoming accidentally sep-- arated as the rod is reciprocated.

The movable electrode is inserted into the extension 2% and through the inner end thereof, and is provided with a button or flange 27 that bears on the walls of said extension and serves to hold the spring 28 in place that .is coiled about one end of said movable electrode and bears upon said button and against a pin 29 in the outer end of the tube 22.

The button is preferably located at a distance from the end of the electrode to provide for a series of coils of the spring 28 around said end, and said button will prevent the spring from becoming displaced or inoperative through the breakage or inaction of one or more of the end coils. The spring 28 serves to take up any over travel of the parts and prevent damage to the electrode.

Between the button and the end of the extension 24 I provide washers 80 which permit the longitudinal adjustment of the electrode, in case of wear, for the purpose of regulating the position of its point with respect to that of the fixed electrode. I have shown but two of these washers, but a number of narrower ones may be employed if preferred, their function being to limit the movement of the button 27 toward the closed end of the tube within which it slides. The time of contact of the movable electrode with the fixed electrode can be regulated by these washers, by taking out one and replacing it with another of a different size.

In operation: the parts having been properly adjusted, the movement of the rod 23 in one direction will force the tube 22 into the casing 15, compress the spring 26 and cause contact of the electrodes. The inward movement of the tube 2 1 actuated by the rod 23 will compress the spring 26 and move the electrode 19 toward the fixed electrode, the spring 28 yieldingly holding the electrode 19 forward and taking up any over travel of the tube and preventing damage to the electrodes by furnishing a yielding backing for the movable one. As soon as the thrust of the rod 23 is relieved on the tube 22, the power of the spring 26 will force the said tube backward and separate the electrodes, the closed end of the tube striking the inward washer 30 a quick blow and causing a quick separation of the electrode points.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a sparking igniter, the combination with a casing and fixed and movable electrodes with means for longitudinally adj usting said movable electrode, of a reciprocating tube provided within said casing and in which tube one end of said movable electrode is inserted, and a spring encircling said tube back of the end through which the electrode extends, said spring serving to retract the tube and cause its end to impart a blow against a part of the electrode to quickly retract the latter and to hold the tube in its retracted position, substantially as described.

2. In an igniter, the combination, with a casing, of fixed and movable electrodes arranged substantially in line with one another, said movable electrode having a lengthwise movement toward and from said fixed electrode, a reciprocating tube arranged within said casing and wherein one end of said movable electrode is inserted, and washers provided on said movable electrode within said tube to facilitate the adjustment of the same with respect to said fixed electrode, substantially as described.

3. In an igniter, the combination, with a casing, of a reciprocating tube therein, a

longitudinally movable electrode concentric with said tube and extending through the closed inner end thereof and provided with a button within said tube, and washers provided on said electrode within said tube between said button and said closed end.

4:. In an igniter, the combination, with a casing, of a reciprocating tube therein, a longitudinally movable electrode carried by said tube and movable therewith and independently thereof, a button provided on said electrode and arranged to bear on the inner wall of said tube, and a spring provided within said tube and having a series of coils around said electrode and hearing at one end on said button and having a fixed bearing at the other end, substantially as described.

5. In an igniter, the combination, with a casing, of a reciprocating tube, an electrode having one end inserted into said tube, a fixed bearing for a spring a spring arranged within said tube between said electrode and fixed bearing, and a second spring coiled around said tube and serving to retract the same and said electrode, substantially as described.

6. In a sparking igniter, the combination with a casing, of fixed and movable electrodes, means for varying the distance between the electrodes, a reciprocating tube wherein said movable electrode is inserted,

and a spring arranged within said tube and encircling a part of said movable electrode, for the purpose specified.

7 In a sparking igniter, the combination with a casing, of fixed and movable electrodes, a reciprocating tube wherein said movable electrode is inserted, a spring arranged within said tube and abutting a portion of the movable electrode, and a spring encircling the tube and bearing against a 10 portion of the casing and a portion of the tube, substantially as described.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of Feb, 1905.

CHARLES A. STICKNEY. Witnesses:

G. M. ARPER, A. M. Fox.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

